Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died after a prolonged illness, marking the end of a defining chapter in modern American activism. A longtime ally of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson rose to national prominence as a powerful advocate for racial justice, economic equality, and voting rights. Jackson made history as a two-time presidential candidate, breaking barriers and expanding political representation for Black Americans.


Jesse Jackson Has Passed Away: Civil Rights Icon Jackson Dies at 82

Jesse Jackson Passes Away: Veteran US Civil Rights Leader Dies at 84 After Prolonged Illness

United States civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson has died “peacefully” at aged 84, according to his family.

“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shake a global movement for freedom and dignity,” his family said in a statement.

US Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Dies After Long Illness

The Rev Jesse Jackson, a prominent personality in the civil rights movement for more than 50 years and a key contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, has passed away at the age of 84. The cause of his death is still unknown. For over a decade, Jackson had progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), who was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was also admitted to the hospital twice with Covid in recent years.<h3>Who was Jesse Jackson?</h3>Jesse Jackson was one of the most key figures of the 20th-century American civil rights movement, who paved the way for the progressive policies of Barack Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders in the 21st century. Along with being close to Dr Martin Luther King Jr, he was also a fixture in the civil rights movement and Democratic politics since the 1960s.&nbsp;After Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in 1968, he went on to become one of the most successful Black politicians of his generation. Two decades after Jackson’s second presidential bid, Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, paid tribute to him, saying Jackson helped pave the way for his own historic victory. Obama marked the moment in Chicago, a city closely associated with Jackson.<h3>Jackson's early life and career</h3>Jesse Jackson was born Jesse Louis Burns in 1941 to a teenage mother, Helen Burns. He later took the surname of his stepfather, Charles Jackson, while maintaining a relationship with his biological father, Noah L. Robinson. His early experiences with racial inequality shaped a lifelong commitment to justice.&nbsp;The activism of Jackson began in earnest in 1960 in Greenville, South Carolina, when he led the “Greenville Eight” in a peaceful protest against library segregation, an act that resulted in his first arrest. He studied briefly at the University of Illinois on a football scholarship before transferring to North Carolina A&amp;T, where he earned a degree in sociology.&nbsp;He later moved to Chicago with his wife, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, and pursued theological studies, eventually becoming an ordained Baptist minister in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. A close associate of King, Jackson joined him in the Selma marches and later headed Operation Breadbasket within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, focusing on economic empowerment for Black communities. His leadership style, however, sometimes drew criticism, particularly over financial management.&nbsp;Jackson was present at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when King was assassinated in 1968, an event that deeply marked him and shaped his public persona. In 1983, he launched a historic run for the Democratic presidential nomination, mobilising millions of Black voters and minorities. Although his campaign faced setbacks, including criticism over controversial associations, his efforts reshaped progressive politics.&nbsp;In later decades, Jackson remained active in civil rights causes, from commemorating the Selma marches to supporting Black Lives Matter protests after the killing of George Floyd. His policy vision influenced a new generation of progressive leaders, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Despite personal and family scandals, Jackson’s legacy endures as one of expanding political participation, economic justice, and racial equality in the United States.&nbsp;In 2008, Jesse Jackson initially expressed reservations about Barack Obama’s candidacy, accusing him of distancing himself from Black communities. However, when Obama’s historic victory became clear on November 4, Jackson was present in Chicago’s Grant Park, where his emotional, tearful reaction became an iconic image. Later, in 2017, Jackson developed Parkinson's disease, depriving him of the ability to walk and talk.&nbsp;&nbsp;Four years later, he was admitted to a hospital due to COVID and subsequently spent several weeks in a rehabilitation facility. In 2025, he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy. At the end, he passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. &nbsp;

After Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Jesse Jackson became one of the most successful Black politicians of his generation. Two decades after Jackson’s second presidential bid, Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, paid tribute to him.

The Rev Jesse Jackson, a prominent personality in the civil rights movement for more than 50 years and a key contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, has passed away at the age of 84. The cause of his death is still unknown. For over a decade, Jackson had progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), who was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was also admitted to the hospital twice with Covid in recent years. Who was Jesse Jackson? Jesse Jackson was one of the most key figures of the 20th-century American civil rights movement, who paved the way for the progressive policies of Barack Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders in the 21st century. Along with being close to Dr Martin Luther King Jr, he was also a fixture in the civil rights movement and Democratic politics since the 1960s. After Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in 1968, he went on to become one of the most successful Black politicians of his generation. Two decades after Jackson’s second presidential bid, Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, paid tribute to him, saying Jackson helped pave the way for his own historic victory. Obama marked the moment in Chicago, a city closely associated with Jackson. Jackson's early life and career Jesse Jackson was born Jesse Louis Burns in 1941 to a teenage mother, Helen Burns. He later took the surname of his stepfather, Charles Jackson, while maintaining a relationship with his biological father, Noah L. Robinson. His early experiences with racial inequality shaped a lifelong commitment to justice. The activism of Jackson began in earnest in 1960 in Greenville, South Carolina, when he led the “Greenville Eight” in a peaceful protest against library segregation, an act that resulted in his first arrest. He studied briefly at the University of Illinois on a football scholarship before transferring to North Carolina A&T, where he earned a degree in sociology. He later moved to Chicago with his wife, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, and pursued theological studies, eventually becoming an ordained Baptist minister in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. A close associate of King, Jackson joined him in the Selma marches and later headed Operation Breadbasket within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, focusing on economic empowerment for Black communities. His leadership style, however, sometimes drew criticism, particularly over financial management. Jackson was present at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when King was assassinated in 1968, an event that deeply marked him and shaped his public persona. In 1983, he launched a historic run for the Democratic presidential nomination, mobilising millions of Black voters and minorities. Although his campaign faced setbacks, including criticism over controversial associations, his efforts reshaped progressive politics. In later decades, Jackson remained active in civil rights causes, from commemorating the Selma marches to supporting Black Lives Matter protests after the killing of George Floyd. His policy vision influenced a new generation of progressive leaders, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Despite personal and family scandals, Jackson’s legacy endures as one of expanding political participation, economic justice, and racial equality in the United States. In 2008, Jesse Jackson initially expressed reservations about Barack Obama’s candidacy, accusing him of distancing himself from Black communities. However, when Obama’s historic victory became clear on November 4, Jackson was present in Chicago’s Grant Park, where his emotional, tearful reaction became an iconic image. Later, in 2017, Jackson developed Parkinson's disease, depriving him of the ability to walk and talk. Four years later, he was admitted to a hospital due to COVID and subsequently spent several weeks in a rehabilitation facility. In 2025, he was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy. At the end, he passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84.

After Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Jesse Jackson became one of the most successful Black politicians of his generation. Two decades after Jackson’s second presidential bid, Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, paid tribute to him.

Who was Jesse Jackson? US civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Junior's protege dies at 84

US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson was hospitalised on Saturday after testing positive for coronavirus.

Jackson, 79, along with his wife Jacqueline were sent to the northwestern hospital in Chicago for treatment.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: "Doctors are currently monitoring the condition of both. Anyone who has been around either of them for the last five or six days should follow."

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-update-us-averaging-100000-new-coronavirus-cases-each-day-405078/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Jackson was vaccinated against the virus in January and had urged African-Americans who were hesitating to get the jab. The veteran civil rights had announced four years ago that he was suffering from Parkinson's disease.

The United States has been hit with another wave of the virus with the highly contagious Delta variant hitting the country.

As the virus continued to spread, the US announced it was extending a nonessential travel ban along the Canada and Mexico border. The ban has now been extended till&nbsp;September 21.

According to the (CDC), the seven-day daily average of new COVID-19 cases has risen to 133,000 as the country continues to grapple with the virus.

CDC says hospitalisations are averaging over 11,000 a day with daily deaths rising to 641. The US is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 37 million cases&nbsp;and over 434, 900 fatalities.

(With inputs from Agencies)

US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson was hospitalised on Saturday after testing positive for coronavirus. Jackson, 79, along with his wife Jacqueline were sent to the northwestern hospital in Chicago for treatment.

US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson was hospitalised on Saturday after testing positive for coronavirus. Jackson, 79, along with his wife Jacqueline were sent to the northwestern hospital in Chicago for treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: "Doctors are currently monitoring the condition of both. Anyone who has been around either of them for the last five or six days should follow." Watch: Jackson was vaccinated against the virus in January and had urged African-Americans who were hesitating to get the jab. The veteran civil rights had announced four years ago that he was suffering from Parkinson's disease. The United States has been hit with another wave of the virus with the highly contagious Delta variant hitting the country. As the virus continued to spread, the US announced it was extending a nonessential travel ban along the Canada and Mexico border. The ban has now been extended till September 21. According to the (CDC), the seven-day daily average of new COVID-19 cases has risen to 133,000 as the country continues to grapple with the virus. CDC says hospitalisations are averaging over 11,000 a day with daily deaths rising to 641. The US is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 37 million cases and over 434, 900 fatalities. (With inputs from Agencies)

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson hospitalised with COVID-19

Louisiana police have shot and killed a black man selling CDs outside a convenience store, triggering protests over the latest in a string of cases of alleged police brutality against black suspects. 
 
A video shot by a witness and circulated online showed two officers ordering a tall black man to the ground early Tuesday. 
 
As he remained standing, the officers wrestled him onto the roof of a car and then to the ground. While he was pinned down by the officers, one pulled a gun and shot him four times at close range. 
 
&quot;They shot him? Oh my fucking goodness!&quot; a witness can be heard as exclaiming in the background of the video. 
 
At least one woman can be heard wailing and repeating &quot;Oh my God!&quot; 
 
Police in the state&#39;s capital Baton Rouge identified the man as Alton Sterling, 37, saying two officers &quot;made contact&quot; with him in the parking lot of the convenience store. 
 
The shooting took place at 12:35 am (0435 GMT) Tuesday after police received a tip from an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun, according to a police statement. 
 
&quot;An altercation between Sterling and the officers ensued. Sterling was shot during the altercation and died at the scene,&quot; police said on Facebook. 
 
They said that in accordance with &quot;standard procedure,&quot; the two officers involved in the shooting had been placed on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation. 
 
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner&#39;s Office said Sterling was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back, WAFB television reported. 
 
News reports said the officers were wearing body cameras, which police said fell off during the confrontation. 
 
However, in addition to the witness video, the shooting was captured by the store&#39;s surveillance camera and at least one patrol car dashboard camera, state representative C. Denise Marcelle told news media after being briefed by the police chief. 
 
About 100 people, including friends and relatives of Sterling, protested outside the convenience store after shooting, some blocking roads, The Advocate newspaper reported. 
 
Holding up handmade signs, they chanted: &quot;Black lives matter&quot; and &quot;Hands up, don&#39;t shoot.&quot; 
 
&quot;Justice for Alton&quot; and &quot;Justice 4 CD Man&quot; read some of the signs. 
 
&quot;What I said to the (police) chief is he has to have transparency in this matter because as you can see, this is getting out of hand. People are clearly upset and they want transparency,&quot; Marcelle said. 
 
&#39;Legal lynching&#39; 
 
Edmond Jordan, an attorney representing Sterling&#39;s family, said the shooting was completely unjustified. 
 
&quot;That police officer fired two shots and he seemed to pause for a while and shot him two more times. I don&#39;t think any of those shots were justified, but I&#39;m curious as to why he paused for such a long time and then fired two more times,&quot; he told CNN. 
 
Jordan, who is also a state legislator, added that Sterling was selling CDs with the permission of the convenience store owner. 
 
Triple S store owner Abdullah Muflahi told The Advocate that he witnessed police retrieving a gun from Sterling&#39;s pocket after the shooting, although Sterling did not hold a weapon during the altercation. 
 
&quot;They were really aggressive with him from the start,&quot; Muflahi said about the police officers, adding that they were &quot;freaking out&quot; after the incident. 
 
Muflahi said he heard one of the officers say: &quot;Just leave him.&quot; 
 
Civil rights group Black Lives Matter, which was referenced by many protesters in Louisiana, tweeted: &quot;Enough is enough. #AltonSterling.&quot; 
 
African American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also expressed outrage over the shooting today. 
 
&quot;The shooting of #AltonSterling in #BatonRouge is a legal lynching. Justice must prevail. #Outraged,&quot; Jackson wrote on Twitter. 
 
(AFP)

The shooting took place after police were tipped off by an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun

Louisiana police have shot and killed a black man selling CDs outside a convenience store, triggering protests over the latest in a string of cases of alleged police brutality against black suspects. A video shot by a witness and circulated online showed two officers ordering a tall black man to the ground early Tuesday. As he remained standing, the officers wrestled him onto the roof of a car and then to the ground. While he was pinned down by the officers, one pulled a gun and shot him four times at close range. "They shot him? Oh my fucking goodness!" a witness can be heard as exclaiming in the background of the video. At least one woman can be heard wailing and repeating "Oh my God!" Police in the state's capital Baton Rouge identified the man as Alton Sterling, 37, saying two officers "made contact" with him in the parking lot of the convenience store. The shooting took place at 12:35 am (0435 GMT) Tuesday after police received a tip from an anonymous caller saying they had been threatened by a man with a gun, according to a police statement. "An altercation between Sterling and the officers ensued. Sterling was shot during the altercation and died at the scene," police said on Facebook. They said that in accordance with "standard procedure," the two officers involved in the shooting had been placed on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office said Sterling was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back, WAFB television reported. News reports said the officers were wearing body cameras, which police said fell off during the confrontation. However, in addition to the witness video, the shooting was captured by the store's surveillance camera and at least one patrol car dashboard camera, state representative C. Denise Marcelle told news media after being briefed by the police chief. About 100 people, including friends and relatives of Sterling, protested outside the convenience store after shooting, some blocking roads, The Advocate newspaper reported. Holding up handmade signs, they chanted: "Black lives matter" and "Hands up, don't shoot." "Justice for Alton" and "Justice 4 CD Man" read some of the signs. "What I said to the (police) chief is he has to have transparency in this matter because as you can see, this is getting out of hand. People are clearly upset and they want transparency," Marcelle said. 'Legal lynching' Edmond Jordan, an attorney representing Sterling's family, said the shooting was completely unjustified. "That police officer fired two shots and he seemed to pause for a while and shot him two more times. I don't think any of those shots were justified, but I'm curious as to why he paused for such a long time and then fired two more times," he told CNN. Jordan, who is also a state legislator, added that Sterling was selling CDs with the permission of the convenience store owner. Triple S store owner Abdullah Muflahi told The Advocate that he witnessed police retrieving a gun from Sterling's pocket after the shooting, although Sterling did not hold a weapon during the altercation. "They were really aggressive with him from the start," Muflahi said about the police officers, adding that they were "freaking out" after the incident. Muflahi said he heard one of the officers say: "Just leave him." Civil rights group Black Lives Matter, which was referenced by many protesters in Louisiana, tweeted: "Enough is enough. #AltonSterling." African American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also expressed outrage over the shooting today. "The shooting of #AltonSterling in #BatonRouge is a legal lynching. Justice must prevail. #Outraged," Jackson wrote on Twitter. (AFP)

Video shows Louisiana cops holding black man down, shooting him point-blank 4 times

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Jesse Jackson Has Passed Away: Civil Rights Icon Jackson Dies at 82

Jesse Jackson Passes Away: Veteran US Civil Rights Leader Dies at 84 After Prolonged Illness

US Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Dies After Long Illness

Who was Jesse Jackson? US civil rights leader dies at 84

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson hospitalised with COVID-19

Video shows Louisiana cops holding black man down, shooting him point-blank 4 times